Is it incorrect thinking to strive to be better, to grow?
Since 2005, there's been one particular teacher who's focus has been the examination and the perceived perfection of the now, the moment. I'll save you some money and attempt to sum up the philosophy quickly.
There is only the now, and that's the key.
To everything.
To accepting who you've been, because it's the past, and there's nothing you can do about it but lament and drown in your own emotional bullshit.
To prevent you from obsessing about the future, as it hasn't happened yet, and knowing our brains, we'll over-think it and sink it before it leaves port.
From what I'm getting from ET's writings, to actually live in the now - it's all about acceptance. You're exactly where you are supposed to be, whether you like it or not. Whether you choose to do anything about how you feel about the now, well, it's up to you.
If we fully accept the true sense of the now, it's perfection, right? We're taught not to mess with perfection. So, is not accepting the perfect now fully, not being content with where you are in your development, is it wrong?
No offense folks, but if I want "grade school level" acceptance, I'll go a bloody AA meeting (plus there's strong coffee, Oreos, and hot chicks with tattoos).
I've got several issues with this...
Yes, there is a lovely simplicity in accepting the now; where you are, who you are.
Acceptance is helpful. The question becomes how or when does acceptance become apathy, with you simply accepting your "lot in life", and your acceptance of where & who you are? When does it begin, if at all, to prohibit growth?
I'm really curious to hear your thoughts on it, dear readers. I'm fortunate enough to be doing an open-eye meditation sessions with my teacher tonight, and I'll attempt to pose the question to him. I'll try not to come off as a newb...
Click the comment button, and let's discuss...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
It begins...
I'm Bradley Burlingame, a DJ, music programmer, and special event & music marketing consultant from Los Angeles, California.
I've started this blog, because for me, right now, it feels like there's nothing else to do - in a good way. Know what I mean? Compelled might be a good first word...
I dabbled in meditation & developing my spirituality in college, but until 2002, never really got serious about it. I had 2 accidents which, over the course of 10 days, left me with 2 severely sprained ankles, and doctor's orders to stay in bed.
Think the Universe was telling me something?
"Watch where you're going, kid!"
It was during that time, I picked up a book given to me by my friend, Katie Trout, called Conversations With God (Book 3), by Neale Donald Walsch. I didn't know anything about it, didn't pre-judge it - I just read it.
Cover-to-cover, twice, in less than 72 hours. Read it a third time, took notes, and sat. I was physically forced (most likely by my own doing, no?) to sit and BE.
The book resonated in me deeply. CWG 3 was the perfect introduction. Simple, easy to read, and the text - it's what I knew all along. God was everywhere, everything and in every person.
Easy concepts. On paper, anyway.
Acknowledging it, putting it into practice, and living it moment-by-moment (in this world), can be another thing entirely.
In my teenage years, I was forced - by a mostly well-meaning set of parents - into attending a Baptist-owned high school in Ohio (same school that twisted up Brian Warner, now Marilyn Manson, if that gives you any indication of what was going on there...), and looking back on it now, it was so critical to who I am today. The school was full of hell-fire doctrine and self-righteousness - it did the opposite of what it was intended to do.
It taught me to think for myself, and to accept no one philosophy, one religion, one teacher. It's helped me become what I'm becoming, and will shape this site.
UI will cover all schools of thought, all teachers, and hopefully, give me an outlet for what's lately, a very full head.
This blog is my entry into the world of... eternity, for lack of a better word. It's been created because, as mentioned earlier, it seems like it's important to do. For myself, for you, for humanity.
Sounds cheesy, but look around. Humanity needs all the help it can get right now.
I look forward to learning & growing with you, and hopefully helping you to get to where you'd like to be - and yes, I know, Dr. Tolle, we are EXACTLY where we need to be right now.
I know, I know...
Matter of fact, I want to ask that up to you. Let's make that the first topic of discussion...
I've started this blog, because for me, right now, it feels like there's nothing else to do - in a good way. Know what I mean? Compelled might be a good first word...
I dabbled in meditation & developing my spirituality in college, but until 2002, never really got serious about it. I had 2 accidents which, over the course of 10 days, left me with 2 severely sprained ankles, and doctor's orders to stay in bed.
Think the Universe was telling me something?
"Watch where you're going, kid!"
It was during that time, I picked up a book given to me by my friend, Katie Trout, called Conversations With God (Book 3), by Neale Donald Walsch. I didn't know anything about it, didn't pre-judge it - I just read it.
Cover-to-cover, twice, in less than 72 hours. Read it a third time, took notes, and sat. I was physically forced (most likely by my own doing, no?) to sit and BE.
The book resonated in me deeply. CWG 3 was the perfect introduction. Simple, easy to read, and the text - it's what I knew all along. God was everywhere, everything and in every person.
Easy concepts. On paper, anyway.
Acknowledging it, putting it into practice, and living it moment-by-moment (in this world), can be another thing entirely.
In my teenage years, I was forced - by a mostly well-meaning set of parents - into attending a Baptist-owned high school in Ohio (same school that twisted up Brian Warner, now Marilyn Manson, if that gives you any indication of what was going on there...), and looking back on it now, it was so critical to who I am today. The school was full of hell-fire doctrine and self-righteousness - it did the opposite of what it was intended to do.
It taught me to think for myself, and to accept no one philosophy, one religion, one teacher. It's helped me become what I'm becoming, and will shape this site.
UI will cover all schools of thought, all teachers, and hopefully, give me an outlet for what's lately, a very full head.
This blog is my entry into the world of... eternity, for lack of a better word. It's been created because, as mentioned earlier, it seems like it's important to do. For myself, for you, for humanity.
Sounds cheesy, but look around. Humanity needs all the help it can get right now.
I look forward to learning & growing with you, and hopefully helping you to get to where you'd like to be - and yes, I know, Dr. Tolle, we are EXACTLY where we need to be right now.
I know, I know...
Matter of fact, I want to ask that up to you. Let's make that the first topic of discussion...
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